Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/johnavlon?igsh=MTduYm1vZ3FzaWR6dw==
Experience and Qualifications
I've spent most of my career as a journalist and author – covering the dangers to our democracy and proposing ways to overcome polarizing forces. With Donald Trump’s renomination by the Republican Party after his attempts to overturn an election on the back of a lie that led to an attack on our capitol, I felt it was time do more to directly defend our democracy by flipping a swing seat. I’m the grandson of immigrants and they taught me that American democracy cannot be taken for granted. I first got involved in politics around Bill Clinton’s 1992 and 1996 campaigns. I served as chief speechwriter for the Mayor of New York during the attacks on 9/11, when my team and I wrote the eulogies for the fallen firefighters and police officers. I subsequently became an award-winning columnist, was editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast for five years and most recently CNN anchor and senior political analyst, where my “Reality Check” segment aired on the morning show.
Community Involvement
I’m a native New Yorker and have served on the board of Citizens Union of New York for two decades as well as on the advisory board of Long Island’s Theodore Roosevelt Association. I am co-president of the Steinbeck Writer’s Retreat in Sag Harbor, after helping lead the effort to save the historic property. I’ve been active in the local civic life of Sag Harbor for years, which led to my endorsements from many local elected officials including the longtime NY State Assemblyman Fred Thiele.
Education
BA: Yale University MBA: Columbia University
Party Endorsements
NYS and Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay S. Jacobs Assembly Member Fred Thiele Assembly Member Steve Stern New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Riverhead Town Democratic Committee Huntington Town Democratic Committee East Hampton Town Democratic Committee Southampton Town Democratic Committee Shelter Island Democratic Committee Southold Town Democratic Committee Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker
Campaign Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/teamavlonny?igsh=MXJ6MHp4NXJpZWVxbQ==
Campaign YouTube
Affordability Crisis & Middle Class: Republicans raised taxes for corporate breaks, capping the State and Local Tax deduction that Long Islanders depend on. Democrats will restore SALT and increase the Child Tax Credit to aid working families and reduce child poverty.
Reproductive Freedom: Abortion should be left to a woman, her doctor, and her god. Trump's appointees overturned Roe v. Wade, and Republicans in Congress want further restrictions on abortion. I’ll fight for reproductive freedom in every state.
Defending Democracy: When in Congress I will work to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act to boost participation. We also need redistricting reform and civics classes.
America is the beacon of freedom and democracy for the rest of the world and democracy is based on free and fair elections. However, there is too much money in politics and that sows doubt among voters as to who their elected officials are really working for. It’s also served to nationalize local elections and deepened polarization. That’s why I support a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United decision which has allowed billions of dollars to flow into political campaigns. I also believe we must end “dark money” influence on our politics by requiring full disclosure of contributions to any organizations that advocate for or against candidates for public office.
In Suffolk County, the environment is the economy, from farming and fishing to tourism. Climate change, with its storm surges, erosion, and flooding, is impacting us now. Decades of climate denial have hindered our response, and Republicans are cutting environmental defense funding. This issue transcends politics; we need bipartisan cooperation to invest in climate mitigation and water quality. If elected, I’ll aim to serve on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee to push for regular beach renourishment, tax deductions to make properties more resilient, and the development of clean energy technology on Long Island.
The defining struggle of our times is between democracy and autocracy, both at home and abroad. The U.S. stands up to tyrants and terrorists and has a special responsibility to be a beacon of freedom and democracy. We must strengthen multilateral institutions like NATO and the UN, uphold international norms, defend democracy and human rights, and deter conflict. I support funding for our allies Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and condemn terrorism globally. We are a nation of imperfect people, struggling to form a more perfect nation – but for all our inevitable flaws, I believe that America is – and has been - a force for great good in the world.
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